By Michael Schindler

Those of us in business the past few years have no doubt learned how to get creative just to stay in business, and when it comes to growth, well… no secret that navigating today’s marketplace has been challenging for everyone. But I’d make the case that is has been even more difficult for those who serve in the National Guard or Reserves.

Fortunately, there is finally a life ring.

The Whitman School of Management, through Syracuse University, has launched Operation Endure & Grow, which targets National Guard and Reserve Component members, their families and partners. The goal of this program is to mitigate the small business economic hardship of deployed members and their families.

Funded by the Small Business Administration, the eight-week online course focuses on the fundamentals of launching and/or growing a small business for those who will sustain the business when the servicemember is deployed, injured or killed. Initially, 550 individuals are expected to participate.

According to their website, the program will include two different tracks (startup and growth) and will offer training in the following:
– Core component parts required to develop a business or nonprofit organizational plan.
– The interrelationship/interdependency of marketing, accounting/finance, operations/production, and human resources required to formulate a business plan for either a “for profit” business or a nonprofit organization.
– Develop and write an objective, cohesive, and integrated business or nonprofit plan.
– A number of analytical tools, methodologies, and frameworks useful in creating a great business plan.
– Presenting to prospective investors, lenders, or other financial backers of the proposed business or nonprofit organization.

Make 2012 the year of growth. For more information, visit the Syracuse University site at https://whitman.syr.edu/endureandgrow/

Michael Schindler, Navy veteran, and president of Edmonds-based Operation Military Family, is a guest writer for several national publications, author of the book “Operation Military Family” and “The Military Wire” blog. He is also a popular keynote and workshop speaker who reaches thousands of service members and their families every year through workshops and seminars that include  “How to Battle-Ready Your Relationship” or “What Your Mother-in-Law Didn’t Tell You.”  He received the 2010 Outstanding Patriotic Service Award from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.